Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A method for determining frequency location of a primary cell, PCell, for a wireless device in a carrier aggregation supported communications network having access to a group of low frequency bands and a group of high frequency bands, the method being performed by a network node, the method comprising: acquiring an uplink load level for the group of low frequency bands; acquiring a pathloss level between a wireless device served by the communications network and the network node; selecting, from the acquired uplink load level and pathloss level, which one of the group of low frequency bands and the group of high frequency bands to place the frequency location of the PCell for the wireless device, wherein the frequency location of the PCell is selected to be in the group of low frequency bands if the uplink load level for the group of low frequency bands is below a first predetermined level, and, wherein the frequency location of the PCell is selected based on the pathloss level but no longer on the uplink load level if the uplink load level for the group of low frequency bands is above the first predetermined level, and wherein the group of low frequency bands is lower than 1 GHz and the group of high frequency bands are equal to or higher than 1 GHz.
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the first predetermined level is based on uplink performance statistics in the communications network.
3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the frequency location of the PCell is selected to be in the group of low frequency bands if the pathloss level is above a second predetermined level.
This invention relates to wireless communication systems, specifically optimizing cell selection based on pathloss conditions. The method improves network performance by dynamically selecting a primary cell (PCell) frequency band based on measured pathloss levels. When pathloss exceeds a second predetermined threshold, the system assigns the PCell to a low-frequency band to enhance signal coverage and reliability. Low-frequency bands typically offer better propagation characteristics, reducing signal attenuation over distance. The method integrates with a broader system that initially selects a PCell frequency based on a first pathloss threshold, ensuring adaptive frequency allocation. By prioritizing low-frequency bands under high pathloss conditions, the invention mitigates connectivity issues in challenging environments, such as urban areas or indoor settings. The approach leverages existing network infrastructure while dynamically adjusting to environmental factors, improving user experience and network efficiency. This solution addresses the problem of maintaining stable connections in high-pathloss scenarios without requiring extensive hardware upgrades. The method is particularly useful for mobile devices and base stations operating in heterogeneous networks where frequency band selection impacts performance.
4. The method according to claim 3 , wherein the second predetermined level is based on uplink performance statistics in the communications network.
5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the frequency location of the PCell is selected to be in the group of high frequency bands if the pathloss level is below a second predetermined level.
6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the frequency location of the PCell is randomly selected between the group of high frequency bands and the group of low frequency bands if the pathloss level is below a second predetermined level.
7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the uplink load level is determined based on uplink throughput statistics in the communications network.
8. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the uplink load level represents an uplink interference level, an uplink resource utilization level, an uplink traffic throughput level, or any combination thereof.
9. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the uplink load level represents number of available uplink radio resources in the group of low frequency bands that are occupied.
This invention relates to wireless communication systems, specifically managing uplink radio resource allocation in low-frequency bands. The problem addressed is efficiently utilizing available uplink resources in a group of low-frequency bands to optimize network performance and reduce congestion. The method involves determining an uplink load level, which represents the number of occupied available uplink radio resources within a designated group of low-frequency bands. This load level is used to assess resource availability and guide allocation decisions. The system monitors these bands to track resource usage, ensuring that transmissions are distributed effectively across the available spectrum. By dynamically adjusting resource allocation based on the load level, the method helps prevent overutilization of specific bands while maximizing overall network efficiency. The invention builds on a broader method for managing radio resources, which includes selecting a group of low-frequency bands for uplink transmissions and determining their suitability based on factors like interference levels and signal quality. The load level assessment further refines this process by providing real-time insights into resource occupancy, enabling more precise and adaptive resource management. This approach is particularly useful in dense network environments where uplink demand fluctuates, ensuring reliable and efficient communication.
10. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the uplink load level is for an uplink control channel, an uplink data channel used for transmission of acknowledgement messages, or any combination thereof.
This invention relates to wireless communication systems, specifically methods for managing uplink load levels in cellular networks. The problem addressed is the efficient handling of uplink traffic, particularly for control and data channels, to optimize network performance and reduce congestion. The method involves monitoring and adjusting uplink load levels for different types of uplink channels. Specifically, it focuses on uplink control channels, uplink data channels used for transmitting acknowledgement messages, or a combination of these channels. By dynamically assessing and regulating the load on these channels, the system can prevent overload conditions, improve latency, and enhance overall network reliability. The method may include determining the current load level on the specified uplink channels and applying load-balancing techniques to distribute traffic more evenly. This can involve prioritizing certain types of messages, adjusting transmission power, or implementing scheduling algorithms to manage the uplink resources effectively. The goal is to ensure that critical control and acknowledgement messages are transmitted reliably while minimizing interference and resource contention. This approach is particularly useful in scenarios where uplink traffic is high, such as in dense urban environments or during peak usage times. By intelligently managing the load on these key uplink channels, the system can maintain stable communication links and improve user experience. The method can be integrated into existing wireless communication protocols, such as LTE or 5G, to enhance their performance.
11. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the pathloss level is derived from uplink measurements, downlink measurements reports received from the wireless device, or any combination thereof.
This invention relates to wireless communication systems, specifically to methods for determining pathloss levels in wireless networks. The problem addressed is the need for accurate pathloss estimation to optimize wireless communication performance, such as power control, handover decisions, and resource allocation. The method involves deriving pathloss levels using uplink measurements, downlink measurement reports received from the wireless device, or a combination of both. Uplink measurements refer to signal strength or quality assessments made by the network on transmissions from the wireless device. Downlink measurement reports are data sent by the wireless device to the network, detailing signal conditions experienced in the downlink direction. By combining these measurements, the system can obtain a more reliable pathloss estimate, accounting for variations in signal propagation due to environmental factors, device mobility, or interference. The method improves upon traditional approaches that rely solely on one type of measurement, reducing errors and enhancing overall network efficiency. This technique is particularly useful in scenarios where signal conditions fluctuate rapidly, such as in high-mobility environments or dense urban areas. The derived pathloss level can then be used to adjust transmission power, select optimal network nodes, or allocate resources dynamically, ensuring better signal quality and reduced interference. The approach is applicable to various wireless standards, including 5G and beyond.
12. The method according to claim 11 , wherein the downlink measurements reports are part of a handover evaluation process of the wireless device.
13. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the pathloss level is determined for the group of low frequency bands, the group of high frequency bands, or any combination thereof.
14. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising: acquiring a need for carrier aggregation for the wireless device, and wherein the uplink load level is acquired in response thereto.
A wireless communication system may experience performance degradation when a wireless device requires carrier aggregation to handle increased data traffic. Carrier aggregation combines multiple frequency bands to enhance data throughput, but determining when to activate it can be inefficient if not based on real-time network conditions. This invention addresses the problem by dynamically acquiring the need for carrier aggregation and assessing the uplink load level in response. The method involves monitoring the wireless device's data traffic to detect when carrier aggregation is necessary, such as during high data demand. Once the need is identified, the system evaluates the current uplink load level to determine if additional frequency bands should be allocated. This ensures efficient use of network resources by only activating carrier aggregation when required, reducing unnecessary overhead and improving overall network performance. The solution optimizes bandwidth allocation and minimizes latency by dynamically adjusting carrier aggregation based on real-time uplink load conditions.
15. The method according to claim 14 , wherein the need represents amount of buffered data in the network node being higher than a third predetermined level, indication of the wireless device being in active mode, indication that the wireless device supports carrier aggregation, uplink performance being below a fourth predetermined level, or any combination thereof.
16. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the group of frequency bands in which the frequency location of the PCell is placed is iteratively selected.
This invention relates to wireless communication systems, specifically to methods for selecting frequency bands for a primary cell (PCell) in a network. The problem addressed is optimizing frequency band selection to improve communication efficiency and reliability. The method involves iteratively selecting a group of frequency bands for placing the PCell, ensuring dynamic adaptation to network conditions. The iterative selection process evaluates multiple frequency bands to determine the most suitable placement, considering factors such as signal quality, interference levels, and bandwidth availability. This approach allows the system to adapt to changing environmental and network conditions, enhancing overall performance. The method may also involve analyzing historical data or real-time measurements to refine the selection process. By dynamically adjusting the frequency band placement, the system can mitigate interference, improve signal strength, and ensure consistent connectivity for users. The iterative selection ensures that the PCell operates in the most optimal frequency band at any given time, improving the efficiency and reliability of wireless communications.
17. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the selecting further comprises: dividing the selected group of frequency bands in which the frequency location of the PCell has been placed into a further group of low frequency bands and a further group of high frequency bands; and determining, from the acquired uplink load level and pathloss level, the frequency location of the PCell to be in either the further group of low frequency bands or the further group of high frequency bands.
18. The method according to claim 1 , wherein selecting which of the group of low frequency bands and the group of high frequency bands to place the frequency location of the PCell is performed during ongoing carrier aggregation of the wireless device, or as part of setting up carrier aggregation for the wireless device.
19. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the carrier aggregation supported communications network further comprises a group of mid frequency bands.
A wireless communication system supports carrier aggregation across multiple frequency bands, including a group of mid-frequency bands. These mid-frequency bands are defined as those with frequencies between 1 GHz and 6 GHz, providing a balance between coverage and capacity. The system dynamically allocates these mid-frequency bands to user devices based on their location, signal conditions, and data requirements. This allocation optimizes network performance by leveraging the mid-frequency bands' ability to penetrate obstacles better than higher-frequency bands while offering higher capacity than lower-frequency bands. The system also includes mechanisms to manage interference and ensure seamless handover between different frequency bands. By incorporating mid-frequency bands into carrier aggregation, the network improves overall efficiency, reduces latency, and enhances user experience in diverse environments. The method involves monitoring signal quality, adjusting band assignments, and coordinating with other network components to maintain reliable connectivity. This approach addresses challenges in modern wireless networks, such as increasing data demand and varying propagation conditions, by providing flexible and adaptive frequency resource management.
20. A network node for determining frequency location of a primary cell, PCell, for a wireless device in a carrier aggregation supported communications network having access to a group of low frequency bands and a group of high frequency bands, the network node comprising processing circuitry, the processing circuitry being configured to cause the network node to perform a set of operations causing the network node to: acquire an uplink load level for the group of low frequency bands; acquire a pathloss level between a wireless device served by the communications network and the network node; and select, from the acquired uplink load level and pathloss level, which one of the group of low frequency bands and the group of high frequency bands to place the frequency location of the PCell for the wireless device; and further causing the network node to: select the frequency location of the PCell to be in the group of low frequency bands if the uplink load level for the group of low frequency bands is below a first predetermined level; and select the frequency location of the PCell based on the pathloss level but no longer on the uplink load level if the uplink load level for the group of low frequency bands is above the first predetermined level, and wherein the group of low frequency bands is lower than 1 GHz and the group of high frequency bands are equal to or higher than 1 GHz.
21. The network node according to claim 20 , further comprising a storage medium storing said set of operations, and wherein the processing circuitry is configured to retrieve said set of operations from the storage medium to cause the network node to perform said set of operations.
22. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a computer program for determining frequency location of a primary cell, PCell, for a wireless device in a carrier aggregation supported communications network having access to a group of low frequency bands and a group of high frequency bands, the computer program comprising computer code which, when run on processing circuitry of a network node, causes the network node to: acquire an uplink load level for the group of low frequency bands; acquire a pathloss level between a wireless device served by the communications network and the network node; and select, from the acquired uplink load level and pathloss level, which one of the group of low frequency bands and the group of high frequency bands to place the frequency location of the PCell for the wireless device; and further causing the network node to: select the frequency location of the PCell to be in the group of low frequency bands if the uplink load level for the group of low frequency bands is below a first predetermined level; and select the frequency location of the PCell based on the pathloss level but no longer on the uplink load level if the uplink load level for the group of low frequency bands is above the first predetermined level, and wherein the group of low frequency bands is lower than 1 GHz and the group of high frequency bands are equal to or higher than 1 GHz.
Unknown
February 9, 2021
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